Queen Sofía & King Juan Carlos with President Evo Morales

Queen Sofía in Bolivia over Sunken Treasure Dispute

Home

/

Blog

/

Salvaging the treasure of the Spanish Mercedes shipwreck.

Underwater view of the Mercedes Shipwreck.

Mercedes Shipwreck treasure arrives at Spanish airbase.

Cover Photo. Examining sunken treasure from Mercedes Shipwre

Mini Cover Photo. History's richest shipwreck haul.

Examining the almost 600,000 golden and silver coins salvage

Queen Sofia arrived in La Paz, Bolivia today to meet with President Evo Morales regarding coins recovered from a sunken Spanish ship which set sail from the port of Lima, Peru two centuries ago laden with gold and silver mainly from Bolivia and Peru, only to be sunk in front of the Portuguese coast by the English fleet during a naval battle. Recovered by an American salvage company, it was returned to Spain early this year, but with various South American claims the struggle for histo

Queen Sofía arrived in La Paz, Bolivia today to meet with President Evo Morales regarding coins recovered from a sunken Spanish ship, Nuestro Señora de las Mercedes, also known by its codename Black Swan. Tomorrow, the secretary of Spain's International Cooperation agency, JesÃƒÂºs Gracia, and Bolivia's Minister of Culture, Pablo Groux, will hopefully sign a memorandum of understanding.

More than two centuries ago, the Mercedes set sail from the port of Lima, Peru, laden with 600 thousand pieces of gold and silver, mainly from Bolivia and Peru, only to be sunk in front of the Portuguese coast by the English fleet during a naval battle, with 200 people aboard. In 2007, American salvage company Odyssey Marine Exploration, recovered the loot and brought it to the States, but was forced by legal ruling to relinquish possession to Spain early this year.

Known for their rich mines, the minting houses of both Peru and Bolivia produced a large part of Spanish coinage at the time. Both have a strong argument to make that the precious metals belonged to their countries. Although Peru made a last-ditch appeal to block the transfer of the coins to Spain this February, arguing that much of the coins were mined and minted in Peru and asking for time to prepare a case, the appeal was denied by federal judge Clarence Thomas. The 595,000 coins arrived safely in Madrid on Feb. 25^th, amid the protestations of Bolivia's Minister of Culture.

A group of South American descendants of the merchants who had dispatched funds and goods in the first place has been seeking financial compensation as well, as with an estimated worth of US$500 million, it is history's richest shipwreck haul, but the true value of the coins is archeological. As the source countries, the South American countries are asking to display a portion of the abundance as part of their own cultural heritage. Meanwhile, 30 museums in Spain are competing to display the loot. If you're interested in viewing some of the precious metals of Bolivia from the colonial or pre-Columbian period, check Inca World's selection of tours in Bolivia.

Queen Sofia arrived in La Paz, Bolivia today to meet with President Evo Morales regarding coins recovered from a sunken Spanish ship which set sail from the port of Lima, Peru two centuries ago laden with gold and silver mainly from Bolivia and Peru, only to be sunk in front of the Portuguese coast by the English fleet during a naval battle. Recovered by an American salvage company, it was returned to Spain early this year, but with various South American claims the struggle for histo

Queen Sofía arrived in La Paz, Bolivia today to meet with President Evo Morales regarding coins recovered from a sunken Spanish ship, Nuestro Señora de las Mercedes, also known by its codename Black Swan. Tomorrow, the secretary of Spain's International Cooperation agency, JesÃƒÂºs Gracia, and Bolivia's Minister of Culture, Pablo Groux, will hopefully sign a memorandum of understanding.

More than two centuries ago, the Mercedes set sail from the port of Lima, Peru, laden with 600 thousand pieces of gold and silver, mainly from Bolivia and Peru, only to be sunk in front of the Portuguese coast by the English fleet during a naval battle, with 200 people aboard. In 2007, American salvage company Odyssey Marine Exploration, recovered the loot and brought it to the States, but was forced by legal ruling to relinquish possession to Spain early this year.

Known for their rich mines, the minting houses of both Peru and Bolivia produced a large part of Spanish coinage at the time. Both have a strong argument to make that the precious metals belonged to their countries. Although Peru made a last-ditch appeal to block the transfer of the coins to Spain this February, arguing that much of the coins were mined and minted in Peru and asking for time to prepare a case, the appeal was denied by federal judge Clarence Thomas. The 595,000 coins arrived safely in Madrid on Feb. 25^th, amid the protestations of Bolivia's Minister of Culture.

A group of South American descendants of the merchants who had dispatched funds and goods in the first place has been seeking financial compensation as well, as with an estimated worth of US$500 million, it is history's richest shipwreck haul, but the true value of the coins is archeological. As the source countries, the South American countries are asking to display a portion of the abundance as part of their own cultural heritage. Meanwhile, 30 museums in Spain are competing to display the loot. If you're interested in viewing some of the precious metals of Bolivia from the colonial or pre-Columbian period, check Inca World's selection of tours in Bolivia.

News, routes, and expert tips

Explore the latest from our Cusco travel blog. Get practical guides, Machu Picchu updates, and fresh trekking and culture recommendations. Everything you need to travel Cusco safely and stylishly in 2026. Your next Andean story starts here!

Folk dance troupes during the patronal festival of Doctor Pa

The festival starting Monday 28th that isn't touristy: San Jerónimo, 5 days

Just 11 kilometers from the Plaza de Armas, the historic district of San Jerónimo celebrates its patron saint every late September: 5 days of processions, 26+ dance troupes, a food fair, and a 16th-century church built on an Inca huaca. In 2016, it was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation. Most tourists don't know it exists; many young locals don't either. This year it starts on Monday, September 28, with the main day on Wednesday 30.

1,500 young people in Sacsayhuamán competing as they did 500 years ago

Third Sunday of September. 9 a.m. The pututos sound and 1,500 students from the National School of Sciences of Cusco set off in procession from their school to the Sacsayhuamán esplanade. They are going to compete — for real — in speed, strength, and endurance tests that replicate those the Tahuantinsuyo used to determine who was ready for adulthood. It is not a choreography. It is the Warachicuy, and in 2025 it was declared a Cultural Interest.

48 km on foot: How to reach the Señor de Huanca in Cusco

Every September 14, thousands of people walk 48 kilometers from the city of Cusco to the sanctuary of the Señor de Huanca, in the district of San Salvador, province of Calca, at 3,100 m.a.s.l. It is neither a tourist trekking trip nor an organized tour: it is a genuine pilgrimage that sets off at night from San Jerónimo and arrives at dawn on the main day. Here we explain the route, what it physical demands, and why this tradition continues to draw devotees from all over Peru and neighboring countries.

Circuit	Ideal for...	Clasic photo	Difficulty
Circuit 1 (Panoramic)	High views and photo posts	Yes	Low
Circuit 2 (Andean)	Complete circuit through the ruins	Yes	Medium
Circuit 3 (Reality)	Persons or reduced movement	No	Very low

Explore the best of our land

Explore the breathtaking diversity of the Central Andes. From ancient archaeological wonders and surreal high-altitude landscapes to world-class gastronomy and Amazonian adventures, our updated 2026 guides showcase the very best of this premier global destination.